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Daisy Sound’s First Headphones Are Premium, High-Quality—and Just a Little Bit Cheaper

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A new audio brand, Daisy, has entered the premium headphone market with its first product, the Daisy One, aiming to disrupt a space dominated by Apple, Sony, and Bose. Priced at $399, these headphones undercut rivals like the AirPods Max and WH-1000XM6, offering a retro design and a California-inspired ethos of relaxation. CEO Jack Mulroe sees the market as stale and wants to provide a fresh alternative focused on chill vibes rather than spec wars.

Founded by industrial designers outside the audio industry, Daisy is headquartered in California. The Daisy One headphones are crafted from aluminum with composite TR90 head straps, weighing 318 grams—slightly heavier than competitors. They offer Bluetooth, USB-C, and 3.5-mm wired connections, with magnetic snap-on ear pads. Available in silver, Pacific blue, and Kelp green, the design is meant to evoke California chic.

The headphones feature noise canceling, 35 hours of battery life with ANC on and 45 hours off, though the battery is not replaceable. The sound system is developed by ((nxc)) systems, with ambient soundscapes recorded in California, such as ocean waves and forest ambiance, plus a guided breath-work exercise. These features aim to help users relax in stressful environments.

Despite the premium build, the Daisy One has received mixed early reviews, particularly criticizing the transparency mode for not matching Apple or Sony's quality. Mulroe acknowledges the challenge and says improvements can come via software updates. He spent months tweaking the feature but admits it's as good as possible within the timeframe.

The launch occurs during a tough period for electronics, with memory shortages driving up costs. Asking customers to trust an unproven brand is a risk, but Mulroe remains confident, projecting the relaxed California attitude that defines his company. The Daisy One is now available for pre-order, with shipping scheduled for later this year.